A Love Letter to the Low End
Title: All About That Bass – A Love Letter to the Low End
From the very first vibration of a low E string to the cosmic thump of a Moog synth bass, one thing is clear: music doesn't move without the bass. In Episode 035 of the <em>Why Make Music…</em> podcast, host ThinkTimm and the ever-soulful DJ Warm Cookies (aka Willa May) take listeners on a two-hour journey through the history, legacy, and undeniable power of the electric bass guitar.
This episode isn’t just content—it’s a celebration. A groove-soaked, emotionally resonant, technically informed deep-dive that stretches across genres, decades, genders, and frequencies. It’s the longest episode we’ve ever produced, and we don’t apologize for a second of it. Why? Because the bass deserves the time. The bass has always deserved more time.
## The Players Who Built the Foundation
We begin with the pioneers—<strong>James Jamerson</strong> of Motown, whose melodic, finger-plucked lines quietly carried the emotional weight of a generation; <strong>Larry Graham</strong>, who literally invented slap bass in the absence of a drummer; <strong>Bootsy Collins</strong>, the groove astronaut who turned the bass into a party, a persona, and a portal.
These aren’t just names—they’re eras. They’re revolutions in sound.
From <strong>Stanley Clarke</strong> leading Return to Forever to <strong>Jaco Pastorius</strong> making the fretless bass weep, we track the lineage of innovation. We explore their gear (P-Basses, Jazz Basses, Alembics), their tone, and the signature lines that changed the game—from “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” to "Teen Town."
## Funk, Fusion, and the Flavor of the Future
The funk is never far behind. <strong>Marcus Miller</strong>, <strong>Verdine White</strong>, <strong>Bernard Edwards</strong>, and <strong>Geddy Lee</strong> each brought their own flavor—studio polish, live spectacle, and sonic identity. We highlight how they made the bass central to the song, not just supportive.
And the evolution continues. Modern players like <strong>Thundercat</strong>, <strong>MonoNeon</strong>, <strong>Michael League</strong>, and <strong>Jamareo Artis</strong> are redefining what it means to be a bassist. They're not just grooving—they’re leading bands, singing hooks, and bending genres with every note.
## Shout Out to the Queens of the Low End
This episode also puts major respect on the names of female bassists who’ve held it down and broken barriers: <strong>Carol Kaye</strong>, <strong>Tina Weymouth</strong>, <strong>Esperanza Spalding</strong>, <strong>Nik West</strong>, <strong>Ida Nielsen</strong>, <strong>Gail Ann Dorsey</strong>, <strong>Rhonda Smith</strong>, and the incomparable <strong>Meshell Ndegeocello</strong>—whose name we speak with proper reverence: <em>mish-EL ən-DAY-gay-oh-CHEL-oh</em>.
We even dip into a personal moment as ThinkTimm recounts a chance front-row experience at a Meshell show in Philadelphia. No big lights, no big crowd—just a room full of soul, and a bass line that shook the spirit.
## Gear Talk & Tone Secrets
We explore the tools of the trade: from the flatwounds of Jamerson’s Funk Machine to the chorus-drenched fretless slides of Jaco. From the star-shaped Space Bass of Bootsy to the minimalist short-scale thump of Tina Weymouth. Pedals, amps, string choice, finger technique—every bit of it tells a story.
This episode doesn’t just highlight the sound—it breaks down how that sound is made.
## Why the Bass Still Matters
More than a technical deep dive, Episode 035 is a love letter. It’s a reminder that the bass isn’t just background—it’s body. It’s emotion. It’s pulse. The bass is the bridge between rhythm and harmony. Between what you hear and what you feel. And as DJ Warm Cookies says, it’s the thing that makes you shake what you got.
So whether you’re a player, a fan, or someone who just loves good music, this one’s for you.
Stream the full episode of <strong>Why Make Music… Episode 035: All About That Bass</strong> now. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and everywhere real music lives.
And if you're reading this far, do yourself a favor. Put on a great bass line. Maybe something classic, maybe something new. Turn it up just a little louder than usual. Then close your eyes and let the low end lead you home.
<b>Follow @ThinkTimm</b> | <a href="https://www.thinktimm.com">[www.thinktimm.com](http://www.thinktimm.com)</a>
<b>WDMNation forever.</b>
<b>Why Make Music…?</b> <i>Because the bass still matters.</i>
